Sheriff’s officer accused of stealing cocaine from department
Ocean County Sheriff's Department image.
A Jersey Shore officer is accused of stealing cocaine his department used for training purposes and using it himself.
County prosecutors say Ocean County Sheriff Department’s Lt. John Adams surrendered Wednesday at the Toms River Police Department. The 40-year-old Adams has been suspended and is charged with official misconduct, theft and cocaine possession.
He was issued a complaint summons for appearance in Ocean County Superior Court at a later date.
Authorities say Adams was assigned to the department’s canine unit, working as a certified dog handler and instructor. They say he legitimately obtained cocaine in May 2015 so dogs could be trained to detect it.
From May 2015 and February 2017, cocaine was determined to be missing from the department. Authorities say a subsequent investigation found Adams had taken the cocaine for his personal use.
Adams has worked with the department since 2000 and completed an instructor course for K-9s in 2015.
He was previously involved in an effort to improve a K-9 cemetery in Ocean County.
It wasn’t known if he’s retained an attorney.
Investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted the investigation.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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